1985 in Michigan


Events from the year 1985 in Michigan.

Top Michigan news stories

The Associated Press selected the state's top news stories as follows:
1. The enactment of a state law, effective July 1, 1985, requiring all drivers of motor vehicles and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts.
Opponents viewed the law as excessive government intrusion.
2. National competition for construction of a high tech, $3.5 billion plant to build automobiles for General Motors' new Saturn division. In August, GM announced that the plant would be built in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
3. The state government's return to financial solvency. Gov. James Blanchard declared "Solvency Day" on November 8 when the state repaid its $1.8 billion debt.
4. The rapid increase in premiums for liability insurance for doctors, truckers, lawyers, tavern keepers, and others.
5. A late summer sales boom for automobiles, following a Teamsters strike that limited supplies to automobile pants and further fueled by a price war in late August and September that included rebates and low interest rates on car loans.
6. An ice storm that struck the state on New Year's Day and cut off electricity to 370,000 customers.
7. The arrest of 26-year-old Ronald Bailey of Livonia for the abduction and murder of two young boys, ages 13 and 14, and the kidnapping and sexual assault of another youth.
8. A late summer storm that resulted in record flooding in Flint, causing $10 million in damages.
9. A decline in the state's unemployment rate to 9.3% in March, the first time in five years that the rate had dropped below 10%.
10. The Michigan State Police's seizure of three children living in a dilapidated bus near Niles, Michigan. The parents, Donald and Eva Monk, were tried and acquitted of child cruelty and subsequently filed a lawsuit against the state over the removal of their children.
The AP also selected the state's top sports stories as follows:
1. After finishing with a 6–6 record in 1984, the 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team led by quarterback Jim Harbaugh finished the season with a 10–1–1 record, defeated Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, and was ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll.
2. The hiring of Darryl Rogers as head coach of the Detroit Lions, following the firing of Monte Clark.
3. Michigan State sophomore running back Lorenzo White led the NCAA with 1,908 rushing yards and finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
4. The 1984–85 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team led by Roy Tarpley and Antoine Joubert compiled a 26–4 record, won the Big Ten championship, and were ranked No. 2 in the AP and coaches' polls released at the end of the regular season.
5. The 1985 Detroit Tigers season in which the team finished third in the American League East, 15 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.
6. Kirk Gibson's declaration of free agency after the 1985 season and contract negotiations between Gibson and the Tigers.
7. The U.S. Open golf championship at Oakland Hills Country Club, ending with Andy North as champion after a final-round collapse by T.C. Chen.
8. Darrell Evans, at age 38, leading the American League with 40 home runs.
9. The Detroit Red Wings' signing of Czechoslovakian hockey star, Petr Klíma.
10. Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns - The April 15 boxing match in Las Vegas between the "Motor City Cobra" Thomas Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, ending in a technical knockout of Hearns in the third round.

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